Jammu, Sept 24 (UNI) Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday will e-inaugurate 17 new bridges of strategic importance for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territories.
The bridges are constructed by the Border Road Organisations (BRO).
Defence sources here told UNI that in total 43 bridges will be e-inaugurated by the Defence Minister in as many as seven States and the Union Territories out of which, 17 will be in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Earlier in July, Singh inaugurated six strategic bridges built by the Border Road Organisation in Jammu and Kashmir through video conferencing, build at a cost of Rs 43 crore.
“These bridges are of strategic importance and have been constructed not only as a part of the development of border belts by providing better road connectivity, but also keeping the prevailing relations with our neighbouring nations in mind,” sources added.
They further said that the bridges have been constructed close to the proximity of the bordering areas along the Line of Control and the International Border, adding, “these projects are the lifelines in far-flung areas close to the border.”
The government is regularly monitoring the progress of all BRO projects and adequate funds are being given for their timely execution, they added.
However, sources said that in Jammu and Kashmir, bridges are coming up Isham bridge at Uri - Salamabad - Kaman Post, Dahi at Bandipur-Gurez, Dandi at Pul Doda-Bhaderwah, Rajpura- Madwal-Pangadaur-Phulpur Causeway, Babban, Bhatha, Baniyari at Parole - Korepannu – Rajpura, Saniyal, Kallah at Chinota-Manna Nallah and Aik at Bishnah-Kojipur-Kaulpur.
They further said that besides J&K and Ladakh, the Defence Minister will e-inaugurate two bridges in Himachal Pradesh, four in Punjab, eight each in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh and four in Sikkim.
He will also lay the Foundation Stone of Nechiphu Tunnel on road to Tawang via video conference, sources added.
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